Brain changes throughout the lifespan.

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These findings are from a study in @NatureNeuro which identified common genetic variants that affect rates of brain growth or atrophy in the first genome-wide association meta-analysis of changes in brain morphology across the lifespan. 2/9 nature.com/articles/s4159…

Genetic variants associated with longitudinal changes in brain structure across the lifespan – Nature NeuroscienceHuman brain structure changes throughout the lifespan. Brouwer et al. identified genetic variants that affect rates of brain growth and atrophy. The genes are linked to early brain development and neu…https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-022-01042-4

Under the influence of genes and a varying environment, human brain structure changes throughout the lifespan; even in adulthood, when the brain seems relatively stable, individuals differ in the profile and rate of brain change. 3/9

Inter-individual differences in brain development are associated with general cognitive function and risk for psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases. 4/9

Genetic factors involved in brain development and aging overlap with those for cognition and risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. 5/9

In this study, there was global genetic overlap with depression, schizophrenia, cognitive functioning, insomnia, height, body mass index and smoking. 6/9

The global overlap coincided with findings at the individual gene level: several of the identified genetic variants and genes were linked to metabolic processes, cognitive functioning, psychiatric traits and Alzheimer’s disease. 7/9 

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Although exactly how variation in these genes affects brain changes in health and disease cannot be answered, these findings may direct future studies into brain development and aging and prevention and treatment of brain disorders. 8/9

Overall, these findings demonstrate that our genetic architecture is associated with the dynamics of human brain structure throughout life. 9/9